I think if you are looking to go from 4:05 to 3:20 you arent going to find it in a race.

So travel already!

Heh.

Nader, I ran this last year. Point to point from Allentown PA to Easton PA. It was a no brainer for me since I live about 5 minutes from the finish. The pros are that it is flat and fast. The cons are that is in mid September so it might be too warm, plus it runs a lot on canal towpaths (dirt and cinder). But it is fairly shaded. Just another option. I may run the half this year.

PH, you're actually a pretty good guy. Two unique response instead of "dude, why are you posting in two places?"

Ennay, my wife recently had a very-mini-meltdown about my running and time it is taking. After a calm, sober exchange, she admitted that she just gets annoyed when I sign onto "running with friends" when I'm at home. So, maybe she will be o.k. with a destination race.

Well, given what is there, I would do Wineglass if I were you, but I like flatter courses. Yonkers is just kinda brutal. Doesn't north Jersey have a fall marathon? I swear I knew of one there. Don't make me start looking. Asbury Park maybe?

There is Via which runs from Allentown to Easton. It is very flat (mostly canal towpaths). I did it last year because the finish is about 5 minutes from home and I run those towpaths all of the time. The main problem is that it is mid September so it can be warm (it was last year at the start). Plus a lot of it is dirt and cinder paths.

Don't know of any fall marathons in NJ. I guess Philly is an option.

Honestly didn't have a problem with Steamtown and would do it again, but I wanted something different and heard good things about Wineglass, and it's not that much further (it's an overnight for me either way).